Points of Blue

Could 22 March meeting key discussion points be shared on Bluemoon after the meeting with next actions.

It would be good to see club & fans working closer together for the common good.
 
Kompany is King said:
Could 22 March meeting key discussion points be shared on Bluemoon after the meeting with next actions.

It would be good to see club & fans working closer together for the common good.
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It pains me to say this but 'the common good' isn't relevant in the new era of money money money making Man city. At the end of the day its their loss. If a ticket is too expensive then the stadium wont be full, if a new shirt looks s##t then we wont buy it, if their actions create a Man city that we don't recognise anymore................
 
dickie davies said:
I take it at the end of the meeting you plan on going to the stadium!

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Fucking hell the "original" MIB`s.
 
I have to say that I have loved the past eight years. I can't wait to see what happens next. BUT...if it means I can't afford to watch the club I have loved for getting on for half a century I'd rather not win anything.
If I went to City to see us sweep the board I'd have packed in 33 years ago. They could kill the support if they are not careful.
 
We're not really here said:
I have to say that I have loved the past eight years. I can't wait to see what happens next. BUT...if it means I can't afford to watch the club I have loved for getting on for half a century I'd rather not win anything.
If I went to City to see us sweep the board I'd have packed in 33 years ago. They could kill the support if they are not careful.
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You are so right on every level.
 
alib said:
Only interaction is the slyly worded surveys they send to seasoncard holders which are purely designed to see how much money the club can wring out of us
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Exactly mate, so loaded. They can fuck off, I'm not doing anymore.
 
The club will have picked up on the discontentment. Although well meant I am not sure what a dozen people meeting in the lass ogowry can do?
 
We're not really here said:
I have to say that I have loved the past eight years. I can't wait to see what happens next. BUT...if it means I can't afford to watch the club I have loved for getting on for half a century I'd rather not win anything.
If I went to City to see us sweep the board I'd have packed in 33 years ago. They could kill the support if they are not careful.
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That more or less sums up my feelings right now.
 
balotelli's back pocket said:
Is this a genuine notice PB or just another city/soriano bashing?
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What the fuck is that supposed to mean?

Here's the email:
Meeting next Tuesday 22nd March, 6.30 to 8 pm, at the Lass o’ Gowrie pub (in the snug if a few, but the function room upstairs is available).

36 Charles Street, Manchester M1 7DB

It’s opposite the old BBC site. 5 mins walk from Oxford Road station. 10 mins from Piccadilly station. Car parks nearby, but free parking the other side of Mancunian Way (round All Saints or Grosvenor Street). Real ales, food available. I aim to be there (and eating) by 5.30 pm

It would help to let me know if you’re coming, but feel free to share it on social media. Any more topics?

Points of Blue was Manchester City’s official Fans Forum but the club have now moved to “consultation” and discussion and surveys online. Some supporters feel a live meeting better enables new ideas – and a lot of ideas originated with Points of Blue meetings – blue signs on the stadium (!), City Square, an ATM at the ground and many more.

I suppose we could put this on City Voice!

Steve Parish
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I am broadly in complete agreement with the majority of posts in this thread. There is little doubt that the club are now farther away from Us, the fans, than they have been before.

And I usually abhor the old "be grateful for what you have it could be a lot worse" type of argument but it has to be said, as expensive as football is becoming these days, and as much importance as is being put by clubs into 'monetising the punters' City are most definitely not unique in this regard.

The sad fact is that the club are going in a direction , or as I believe, being pulled in a direction, that is a direct result of the way football as an industry is moving these days. With FFP amd whatever they come up with next (and they WILL come up with something) City HAVE to increase ticket prices and the overall cost of supporting because if they don't there is a very real danger they could be left behind.

By all means be angry, and certainly demonstrate in whatever way is most appropriate, but perhaps turn our Ire onto those who are really responsible - UEFA, the fa, the premier league, the "original sky 5". If city reduce prices next season (as they could afford to) they will be putting themselves at a competitive disadvantage to the other 19 premier league clubs. Why should they? I'd prefer to see an attempt to engage with fans of all other clubs and do something on a national basis. Not to decry the OP at all, but there is no way city will shoot themselves in the foot out of some sense of altruism..they can't! Not with Utd, Arsenal, Spurs, Everton, Liverpool, and Chelsea waiting to stick the knife in on turnover etc, to say nothing of the European old guard. THEY are the real criminals.

I'd rather have what we have now than a more inclusive, and cheaper to support club that we had under the charlatan Francis Lee, or the crooked Peter Swales
 
Kazzydeyna said:
I am broadly in complete agreement with the majority of posts in this thread. There is little doubt that the club are now farther away from Us, the fans, than they have been before.

And I usually abhor the old "be grateful for what you have it could be a lot worse" type of argument but it has to be said, as expensive as football is becoming these days, and as much importance as is being put by clubs into 'monetising the punters' City are most definitely not unique in this regard.

The sad fact is that the club are going in a direction , or as I believe, being pulled in a direction, that is a direct result of the way football as an industry is moving these days. With FFP amd whatever they come up with next (and they WILL come up with something) City HAVE to increase ticket prices and the overall cost of supporting because if they don't there is a very real danger they could be left behind.

By all means be angry, and certainly demonstrate in whatever way is most appropriate, but perhaps turn our Ire onto those who are really responsible - UEFA, the fa, the premier league, the "original sky 5". If city reduce prices next season (as they could afford to) they will be putting themselves at a competitive disadvantage to the other 19 premier league clubs. Why should they? I'd prefer to see an attempt to engage with fans of all other clubs and do something on a national basis. Not to decry the OP at all, but there is no way city will shoot themselves in the foot out of some sense of altruism..they can't! Not with Utd, Arsenal, Spurs, Everton, Liverpool, and Chelsea waiting to stick the knife in on turnover etc, to say nothing of the European old guard. THEY are the real criminals.

I'd rather have what we have now than a more inclusive, and cheaper to support club that we had under the charlatan Francis Lee, or the crooked Peter Swales
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Or they could act shrewdly in the transfer market instead of purchasing players such as Bony for £25-£30m, kept Dzeko (instead of shifting him for a discounted price) and knocked £10 off every match day ticket quite comfortably for the foreseeable future.

They are bringing in more TV revenue than ever before, I have no doubt this money will be going to players, staff and agents. Smart financial management would put us in a much better financial position as opposed to fleecing fans that will still be there long after they've gone.
 
Here's the minutes from the meeting on Tuesday. These have gone to the club (who were aware of the meeting and asked for the minutes).

Points of Blue, 22nd March, 2016, Lass o’ Gowrie.


15 attendees, mostly regulars from previous PoB meetings (last one four years ago)


Points of Blue


Club had indicated they were looking at other ways of communicating with fans (but had never declared Points of Blue dead). Noted that most of these are club-set agendas, and even with social media / City Voice / surveys there was value in live discussion. Club had already provided some comments to likely topics. Steve P would send the notes from the meeting to Danny Wilson and Lisa Eaton, and it would be up to them how to process it. The days of a small delegation meeting the chief exec and chairman are unlikely to be repeated.


Pricing for PSG home game


Unanimous that prices were set too high. Reported that some supporters had withdrawn from Champions League ticket scheme (and it was agreed that those who had should lose the scheme points but should not lose points for tickets bought).


Priority apparently given to maximisation of revenue rather than ensuring a full stadium. Concern about likely attendance, given recent performances, lower attendance of regular supporters at evening games, and the possibility that the first leg result would leave fans pessimistic about City’s chances – the game v CSKA Moscow was cited where the club had to resort to offering a buy-one-get-one-free offer (annoying those who’d already bought an even number at full price).


Fear that this was a short-term commercial calculation based on an estimate, which may be wrong, of market demand, rather than taking a long-term view of maintaining the loyal traditional fanbase (and a background of seeking corporate package income). Whatever the revenue streams, atmosphere suffers from too many corporate customers, not least when they don’t come back into the stadium for the second half. Have City really got the guaranteed “tourist” market to outweigh the loyalty of longstanding fans (and building a new generation of regular attendees)? (What happened to the idea of a “longstanding” fans club?)


It was also remarked that a disincentive for some to the ticket schemes is the speed, and lack of notice, of money being taken by direct debit (from current accounts).


Season ticket pricing


Noted that some clubs had already announced a freeze or price cut. Whatever the commercial calculation on next season’s prices (allowing for some disillusionment among current seasoncard holders), there would be reputational damage from a large increase. £299 tickets still provide excellent value – there would be more take–up if it were possible to guarantee seats together.


Stewarding / policing


Away fans in home areas seemed a growing problem at CL games (beyond the UEFA requirement) and at Everton semi-final 2nd leg.






Non-matchday parking for store / ticket office


Scepticism about official reasons (traffic safety and security threat). Any record of traffic accidents or near misses? Is it seriously thought that an empty stadium might be a terrorist target? Why would having to leave the car a long walk away prevent a walk-up by a suicide bomber? Was the real reason to prevent use as a park and ride by Metrolink passengers?


Inevitable drop in custom (2 minute visit becomes at least 10, awkward in bad weather and for those not quite ready for a blue badge but not good on their legs).


Away Europe games – central ticket collection


General approval for the principle of tickets only to be sued by purchaser. Accepted that “point whoring” was an issue, but was it out of hand? For family members on different points, and wanting to make travel arrangements, it was a temptation. In a large city (like Paris) having to find a “central” location could be time-consuming, and makes risking a late flight arrival even riskier. Have UEFA regs changed on this?


Away ticket allocations


Conversely, official undermining of loyalty points system by number of tickets to corporate and others – e.g. block of Belgian fans at Arsenal, “City in the City” etc


Kill the cheese


City Square pre-match entertainment valued, but the in-stadium stuff is cringeworthy. On screens, “We fight for you” video was awkward, but (clap hands) “Come on City” during the game is puerile. Getting kids to scream into a mike doesn’t help. An instance of an interview with fans before the game criticising individual players being shown in the stadium while said player were on the pitch warming up. Music (still) often killing pre-match atmosphere.


Family Stand


Is it time for revamp (even before north end expansion)? Entertainment not interesting (playstation when they’ve got it at home); someone with a 7-year-old girl said she preferred block 111 to the Family Stand…. Early leaving more noticeable (and getting worse)


Merchandise


Still limited for women (not everyone wants pink). Cost for 2 children’s shirts with printing over £100. Half and half scarves sold in club shop – no profit is worth that sacrilege.


Catering


Still some complaints about inexperienced / transient staff and simple logistics (press button to start a drink then deal with cash rather than delay button till cash sorted). Ketchup / mustard and milk stations remote from outlet, no sign for them, across busy concourse (no trays now for hot drink cups).



Also raised by someone not attending (I don’t understand it): Why does the machine outside the superstore close at a certain time where you can put your card in to gain points?
 
Of the 15 how many of them are regular Euro away travellers as the response seems very wishy-washy
It seems as though it's acceptable to disrupt people's fredom of movement due to a perceived points whoring issue.
Sledgehammer and nut comes to mind.
 
squirtyflower said:
Of the 15 how many of them are regular Euro away travellers as the response seems very wishy-washy
It seems as though it's acceptable to disrupt people's fredom of movement due to a perceived points whoring issue.
Sledgehammer and nut comes to mind.
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At least 4 were Euro away regulars that I know of.

There was some confusion as to whether it was a club requirement, a UEFA one or just a local one.
 
Will definitely attend the next meeting.

I appreciate a match is now an event, and as such drink and food are priced accordingly.

Having purchased 2 bottles of 500mil water for the sum of £5, or £2.50 each, on derby day, and due to my job in the wholesale trade, I can tell everyone each of those bottles of water should actually cost the club less than 50p to buy.(bought by the case/pallet load) If they aren't, then the club is getting them from the wrong supplier. :-) IS THAT £2.50 PRICE ACCEPTABLE?
 
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